Thursday, April 28, 2011

The second car wash will be held Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Hilltop Car Wash; same place; 9 to 12 noon. You will all receive 10 tickets to sell prior to that date. Please note you are expected to sell all the tickets and return the money envelope to either Donavan Millet at Dixie High School or myself. Please e-mail me so I can arrange to collect your ticket sales, or bring the envelope with the money in it to the car wash on the 21st.

There were three candidates who had put their names on the list to be considered as 2011 summer camp attendees who did not show up at the first car wash and did not call me before or after with an explanation. Those candidates are really behind the power curve at this point with no ticket sales reported and no points for attending the first car wash.

I do not yet have DP applications filled out for J. Arrias (one page is missing), K. and B. Simmons, W. Stevens and C. Nebeker. Please let me know when I can expect your applications.

Please mark your calendars now for the May 21st car wash fund raiser if you wish to be considered as a serious contender for one of the Devil Pup slots for summer encampment.

Watch for further particulars for an Applebee's fund raising night. Applebee's in St. George has agreed to hold a fund raiser for Devil Pups where all those who come in with a coupon will get 10% off on their meals and the 10% will be donated to Devil Pups. We will be setting up a date (most likely a Monday or Tuesday evening which is best for Applebee's), a link to a coupon, and we will keep you posted when that is finalized.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Devil Pup Candidates: Saturday is the first fund raising project. Please be at the Hilltop Car Wash at 160 N 900 E, next to Denny's, before 9:00 a.m., ready to help at the car wash for which you sold tickets. If you haven't gotten your ticket sale money to Donavan Millett or myself, please bring the envelopes with you Saturday - be sure to put your name on your envelopes so you will get credit. The car wash runs from 9:00 to 12:00 noon. See you there!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Several young men and women came to the second informational meeting this evening. As it stands right now, we have 15 young people (4 females and 11 males) for 11 slots, (2 females and 9 males). Only six candidates have their paperwork in. For those of you serious about your desire to go to Devil Pup camp this summer, please make sure I have these application papers ASAP.

These are initial stats only; things change quickly all the way up through the PFT tests.

The Allreds have already sold two envelopes of car wash tickets and took more to sell! The car wash is this coming Saturday (the day before Easter) from 9:00 to noon, next to Denny's above St. George Boulevard. Remind your friends to get their cars washed for their Easter parades!

Get your ticket sale money to Donavan Millett at the high school this week (be sure to put your name on the envelope so you get credit for those sales), call me to pick it up from you, or bring it with you on Saturday to the car wash event.

As always, if you learn of someone who will donate to the program, have them make their tax-deductible checks to (1) Devil Pups, Inc., or (2) Utah Dixie Marine Corps League Detachment #1270. Both organizations are 501(c)(3) and thus donations are tax exempt.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

We scheduled a “pick up” meeting for those Pups/Parents who could not make yesterday’s meeting. The pick up meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18, in Community Room B of the St. George Library on West 100 South in St. George.

If you are unable to attend or if you wish to remove your name from the candidate list, please have the courtesy to call me at (435) 652-3998 or e-mail me.

This reminder was sent to the entire mailing list and can be ignored by those Pups/Parents who attended yesterday’s meeting.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Reminder: The first of two information meetings regarding the 2011 Devil Pup program will be held at the St. George library in Meeting Room "B" in the basement.Tuesday, April 12. Please bring a parent or guardian and also complete the two forms sent to you earlier and bring them with you. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.Address: St. George Washington County Library, 88 W 100 South, St. George, UT.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Washington County Main Library 88 W 100 South St. George (Community Room “B” in the basement) 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

ALTERNATE DATE: Monday, April 18, 2011 Washington County Main Library 88 W 100 South St. George (Community Room “B” in the basement) 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Devil Pup Applicants and Families:

Thank you for your interest in the Devil Pup program. This message you are reading explains the next steps in the selection process.

Two forms are attached at the bottom this blog. One form, titled “Devil Pups – Youth Program for America” is to be completed by the parent or guardian. When completed, it gives data on medical history and contact information, which will be seen only by Devil Pup program staff.

The second form, our “Selection Questionnaire,” is to be completed LEGIBLY by the applicant. This two-page form, when completed, tells us why you think you should be chosen for this year’s program. If you cannot print a full-size copy of these forms from the link below, e-mail me for a PDF copy.

Complete these forms and be prepared for the next step – the Parent/Pup joint conference with me, the Liaison Rep for Utah/Eastern Nevada. Choose one of the two dates shown above. REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR TWO COMPLETED FORMS WITH YOU.

If neither date “works,” call me at (435) 652-3998 and leave a message, if you are still interested in being considered for the program.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

We will leave St. George late Wednesday night, July 20th, for the drive to Camp Pendleton, California. Get some sleep ahead of this trip! We will join the Las Vegas Pups on a tour bus, stop for breakfast in Barstow, and arrive at Camp Pendleton Thursday a.m. approximately 8:00 a.m. (0800).

Parents/guardians are REQUIRED to attend the graduation exercises on July 30th, 2011 - 1200 hrs (11:00 a.m.). Arrive early for good seating. (I will provide directions and a map to Camp Pendleton if you need them.)

Parents are responsible for transportation home for their Devil Pup. A link to the official Devil Pups, Inc. website for further information is included at the bottom of this web page. Please contact me at wctoole@sunrivertoday.com if you have questions.

Monday, April 4, 2011

The 2011 Devil Pup program will hold a car wash at Hilltop Car Wash, behind Denny's on St. George Boulevard and 1000 East, on April 23, 2011. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Each Pup Candidate will be given 10 tickets to sell for $5.00 each ($7.00 for over-sized vehicles). Hilltop Car Wash will allow Devil Pups the use of the wash process, and the Pups and other volunteers will dry the vehicles and clean the windows. All Pup Candidates will help sell tickets and help with the work detail on the 23rd of April.

There will be another car wash in June to be manned by successful Devil Pup candidates for 2011, plus other volunteers.

There will also be volunteers and ticket sales by the Utah Dixie Marine Corps League members. If we all work together on these two fund raisers, we will reach our annual goal of $5,000 by mid-June.

The Devil Pup experience is free to the Pup and Pup's family. This year, the quota for Pups from Southern Utah is 11 young men and women. Your tax deductible donations for the support of this ongoing and outstanding program, that makes a difference in the lives of young people, will be very much appreciated.

The cost per Devil Pup is $450. If you can support one or more Pup, or have another amount you would like to donate to the program, please make your checks payable to "Devil Pups, Inc." and contact me for delivery of the donation.

Please consider the "Testimonials" section of this blog for the changes your donations can support in the lives of these young people and their parents.

DEVIL PUP FORMS

What is Devil Pups?

Devil Pups is an non-profit organization designed to help boys and girls from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Devil Pups is not a Marine Corps sponsored program. The program is not a “mini boot camp” para-military or recruiting organization for the Marine Corps. Encampment Commanders are employees of Devil Pups, Inc. Devil Pups Web Site

TESTIMONIALS

From the parent of a 2011 Devil Pup sent from St. George:

Mark was in Platoon 4 last year in August.I am writing to say I would like to donate $100.00 to help a candidate go to camp this year.In case you’re curious, Mark is still on track.Doing great in school, volunteering and showing great leadership in school and at home.Here are a few pictures of Mark at his first ROTC competition earlier this year, Mark was the only one in the whole squad (including his squad leader) that the inspector could not find anything to call him out on.We all held our breath as the inspector reviewed Mark for an extended period of time trying to find something out of place.Then, reluctantly, the inspector congratulated Mark and moved on to the next cadet.We were so proud of him and were reminded that day that his confidence and discipline were also part of what he brought home from camp last year.As we come upon a year now in August, he is still showing the Devil Pups DVD to his peers and family, discussing things he learned and appreciated about going to camp.Actually, as a family we all learned a lot last year, we bonded through the camp experience and learned how to better support Mark with his goals.We gained understanding of Mark's determination and watched him transform into an even more responsible and determined young man in just 10 days time.Thank you again, for all you did last year and all you do for the Devil Pup program.

From a father and doctor in San Diego: We can't thank your organization enough for what you did for our son. What took place in 10 days is nothing short of a miracle. Our son had low self-esteem and his response to anything was "I can't." He wouldn't try riding a skateboard, wouldn't do his homework and he was constantly late for school. His GPA was 1.5. When he returned from Devil Pups the following took place: - He asked us to buy him a skateboard - he now rides every day. - He took up surfing, is up every day at 5 a.m. to surf before school. - He joined the high school cross [country] team and is now bringing home trophies . . . . this is from a kid who would have nothing to do with sports. We sent you a defeated kid and you returned us a beautiful, courageous young man.

Unsolicited letter excerpts from a 2010 16 year old Devil Pup named Emily [in her words]: Devil Pups is not for everyone, it takes a certain person who is willing to step out of their comfort zone and do things that most people never even have the opportunity to try. . . . Do not think this camp was easy, there was never a time where I was not putting all I had into whatever I was doing. Every event was nerve-racking and scary; we all learned that 'pain is weakness leaving the body' and learned to live by it. . . . At Devil Pups, things are done that are not part of ones every day life. Whether it is climbing the 35-foot ladder to jump the 35-foot drop, or running 5-1/2 miles in the deep sand, it takes a certain pup to succeed. Many new virtues are obtained through this program, virtues including integrity, courage, teamwork, endurance, decisiveness, and judgment. After climbing Ole Smokey and completing the Marine Corps obstacle course, I have been able to see that there really is no "I" in "team." . . . Through Devil Pups I have learned that one does not go somewhere hoping to succeed, but brings success with them because it is bread within them. . . . Many do not make it to the day all pups are awaiting, graduation day. To graduate from this ten-day program, the only way out is to 'train or go home.' There are no mistakes made, if one occurs, the phone is picked up and mommy is called. Devil Pups taught me, if you do whatever is supposed to be done, the way it is supposed to be done, then there is no such thing as failure. Because of the Devil Pups program, the word 'failure' no longer exists in my vocabulary. . . . Devil Pups helped me to become a better leader and build my own confidence and self esteem. . . . A winner is able to make a mistake and say, "I was wrong" when a loser makes a mistake and casually says, "It was not my fault." . . . Devil Pups motto, "Growth Through Challenge" truly depicts what a great program it really is. Its main goal is to give young children ages 14-17 the leadership and courage building skills to accomplish anything they want in life. . . . The Devil Pups program has showed me that I truly can do or be whatever I want as long as I am willing to work hard. Nothing great comes easy; one must work hard for the things that are important to them in life.

I can tell you that the lessons learned during my time with the Pups helped in providing a strong foundation for my future endeavors. Building character is one of the greatest attributes of the Devil Pup experience. It is character that is the core of the individual; it will determine the type of human being that will go out into the world.

Now to nurture this quality in 14 to 17 year olds is no easy task I assure you, as I have had the experience of having worked with young people for the better part of my professional career. However, the Devil Pups have been able to cull the knowledge of its members, incorporate the discipline of the Marines, to create a program of excellence for the youth of today. Developing strong leadership skills has long been a focal point of the Devil Pups organization... and it will remain so, because this organization realizes the importance of good leaders. It isn’t that these young people are molded into what we feel they should be. Instead, the Devil Pups gives them the confidence to believe in themselves, and their ideas. Our society has benefited, in more ways than what I have mentioned here because of the Devil Pup organization. Their impact is undeniable on the lives of the individuals that were fortunate enough to take part. I am certainly beholden to this organization for their efforts